§ 3. Mr. Wallasked the Minister of Overseas Development if he will make a statement on the restoration of aid to Lesotho.
§ 13. Mr. Juddasked the Minister of Overseas Development whether he will make a statement on the Government's aid policy towards Lesotho.
§ Mr. WoodA small team of my officials recently visited Lesotho. In the 819 light of their report, I am now considering the resumption of our aid programme. In view of the grave drought situation, I have meanwhile authorised immediate expenditure on the purchase and erection of a number of food storage sheds, food distribution, and the resumption of "food for work" schemes to the full extent requested.
§ Mr. WallWhile welcoming the restoration of our normal relations with Lesotho and the drought relief, may I ask my right hon. Friend also to confirm that the next three-year programme of aid, which was announced to the House some time ago, will now be implemented?
§ Mr. WoodThis is a matter which, as I have explained to my hon. Friend, we are considering, and I shall certainly take into account what he said.
§ Mr. JuddIn welcoming the general tenor of the right hon. Gentleman's reply, may I ask whether he would not agree that budgetary assistance to countries such as Lesotho indicates a degree of political commitment to particular political régimes about which some Members of the House will have a degree of caution? Would he also agree, particularly in relation to refugees from the Republic of South Africa, that it is important that if we give budgetary assistance, we must make our views on the position of such refugees well known?
§ Mr. WoodI will take into account the second part of the hon. Member's question. In reply to the first part, as he knows our aid to Lesotho has consisted of budgetary and development aid. I do not make the very clear distinction to which the hon. Member has drawn attention.